Lateral Distribution of Loads in One‐Way Continuous Navy Pier Decks

Distribution of wheel loads in concrete bridges has been addressed by AASHTO using the effective‐width concept, whereby the load is assumed to be laterally distributed over a width E function of the span and limited to 2.1 m (7 ft). A military handbook addressing flat‐slab pier‐deck design to distribute truck‐crane outrigger loads recommends following these guidelines, although it recognizes that resulting designs are overly conservative. An initial finite element‐parameter study is carried out in an attempt to determine more appropriate effective‐widths values. Inservice pier tests are conducted to corroborate the numerical predictions. From these analyses and test results, a one‐third scale laboratory model using an effective‐width value of 3 m (10 ft) is designed, constructed, and tested. Classical plate‐theory solutions and finite element analyses using various edge conditions, cracked and uncracked deck properties, as well as point and patch loads are completed. Analyses and tests results confirmed that effective‐width values for reinforced concrete slabs can often be doubled over current AASHTO allowables. For Navy pier‐deck designs where large, truck‐mounted cranes dominate load requirements, this will result in higher load capacity, longer spans, and less construction materials.